ar_gov_BRISTOW

BILL BRISTOW

• Bristow was born and raised on a farm in Strawberry, Arkansas. Beginning in 5th grade, he worked as a tractor driver for his father.

• Bristow was valedictorian of his class at Strawberry High School, but he is better remembered as a high school basketball star, who was named to the All-District and All-County Basketball Teams. Bristow once scored 51 points in a single game -- a record that still stands. Still an avid basketball fan, his jump shot is featured in one of his campaign ads.

• He attended Arkansas College (now Lyon College) in Batesville on a scholarship. He was editor of the college yearbook and president of the Student Government Association and the Baptist Student Association. He has served on the Lyon College Board of Trustees since 1984.

• After graduating from college summa cum laude in 1972, Bristow earned a scholarship to attend Harvard Law School. He graduated with honors in 1975.

• When he returned to Arkansas after law school, Bristow took the state bar exam. He was the top scorer out of the 132 people who took it with him. Bristow turned down offers from several law firms to start his own practice. He also has served as Special Justice for the Arkansas Supreme Court and on the Arkansas Board of Law Examiners from 1982-88.

• In 1996, Bristow made his first run for office for the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. David Pryor. Bristow came in third in a crowded Democratic primary field. He received 18% of the vote behind Winston Bryant nd Lu Hardin, who both received 22%. Bryant ultimately won the nod in a run-off but lost in the general election to Republican Tim Hutchinson.

• Bristow is considered one of the state's best trial lawyers. He is currently partner in the Jonesboro law firm Seay & Bristow. One of his better-known clients is Danny Ferguson, the former Arkansas state trooper who, along with President Clinton, was a co-defendant in the Paula Jones case before it was dismissed.